Rapid transit hits another speed bump
Posted May 3, 2011 03:57:37 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A fourth regional councillor has excused himself from the rapid transit debate, citing a conflict of interest.
Tom Galloway said today that his employment at the University of Waterloo could be a potential conflict given the fact that the current rapid transit plans call for three light rail stations to go on university lands. When reached by e-mail Tuesday afternoon, Galloway said he wasn’t allowed to say much about the decision. He did, however, note that he was exercising “an abundance of caution” and protecting himself against “personal economic risk if challenged.” Galloway hired a lawyer at his own expense to secure the opinion.
His is the fourth such declaration in the debate, following on the heels of conflicts of interest declared by regional Chair Ken Seiling and councillors Doug Craig and Rob Deutschmann. That leaves 12 councillors to engage in the debate, set for mid-June.
Meantime, 570 News is also following a motion tabled by Cambridge councillor Karl Kiefer. That motion, which says in part that “Cambridge City Council and the residents of the City of Cambridge are not prepared to support the Light Rail Transit (LRT) as it is currently being proposed” and that “the City of Cambridge receives no benefit from the proposed transit system,” will be debated tonight.
570 News has also learned that Kitchener councillor Frank Etherington will table an LRT-related motion next week. His will ask “that Kitchener councillors hold a public meeting to discuss the subject and its potential impact on the city before the vote takes place at regional council.”
